2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102751D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2377

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.6, relating to comprehensive plan; data centers; water usage.

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Patron—Hodges

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Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.6 as follows:

§ 15.2-2223.6. Comprehensive plan shall incorporate methods to minimize water usage for data centers.

Beginning July 1, 2025, every locality shall incorporate into the next scheduled and all subsequent reviews of its comprehensive plan provisions that prioritize and evaluate alternative methods of cooling, such as air cooling, geothermal cooling, or other innovative technologies that minimize water usage, particularly in the context of approving or siting data centers or similar land uses. The comprehensive plan shall include methods of assessing the environmental impact of water-based cooling methods and shall require that alternative methods to minimize water usage are thoroughly considered before local approval of data centers or similar land uses that are reliant on significant water resources for cooling purposes.